IKom Stiftland: Ten years of inter-municipal successes celebrated in Plößberg!

IKom Stiftland: Ten years of inter-municipal successes celebrated in Plößberg!

On November 4, 2025, IKom Stiftland celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Plößberg cultural hall. A ceremony that began at 7 p.m. attracted numerous guests from politics and administration. The association was launched in 2015 and was founded as an inter-municipal alliance of ten municipalities. Its goal: to specifically promote sustainable development, cultural identity and tourist attractiveness in the north of the Upper Palatinate. In his speech, the association chairman Bernd Sommer highlighted the historical roots of the Stiftland and emphasized the need for courage, ideas and cooperation for the further development of the region.

The event also offered an insight into IKom Stiftland's current projects. A “Marketplace of Projects” was set up to present the various initiatives. For example, the inter-municipal signage concept is an outstanding example of successful cooperation between municipalities. District President Walter Jonas, District Administrator Roland Grillmeier and Kurt Hillinger acknowledged the progress of the association and praised the regional developments that have been achieved in recent years.

Regional initiatives and successes

IKom Stiftland has achieved a lot in recent years. The Stiftland holiday region has established itself as a strong brand in tourism, supported by various events such as the Upper Palatinate Cyclist Sunday and the Stiftland Days, which take place in ten municipalities over ten days. Particularly worth mentioning is the work of the museum department “das zwoelfer”, which develops and networks the museum landscape in the Tirschenreuth district.

Another milestone in the history of IKom Stiftland is the receipt of the European cultural heritage seal. This success, together with the recognition as a state-recognized eco-model region, underlines the efforts to strengthen bioregional value creation. The founding of the Grenzlandkäserei in Tirschenreuth is a prime example of regional marketing structures that not only benefit the economy, but also the community.

Support at all levels

Infrastructure development is a central concern of the association. An improved cycle path network in Stiftland will help make the region more attractive for visitors and locals. Small projects by citizens, associations and municipalities are also supported by a regional budget, which shows that the community is strongly involved here.

To finance such projects, the state provides grants for exemplary intermunicipal cooperation. According to information from the Government of the Upper Palatinate The cooperation is promoted by the law on municipal cooperation. This opens up a wide range of opportunities for municipalities to use synergy effects and implement projects efficiently. Interested regional representatives can access state funding, which significantly expands the possibilities for creative and sustainable solutions.

The look back at the anniversary was also seen as the start of a new stage in regional development. Bernd Sommer thanked the member municipalities, employees, project partners and funding providers for their contribution. With a firm eye on the future, IKom Stiftland will continue to work on its vision and show what is possible when communities work hand in hand.

In summary, it can be said that the past decade is not only a success story for IKom Stiftland, but is also proof that joint action can bring about positive changes in the region.